Minnesota Vikings Rumors: Could a CB Be Their First Free Agent Signing?

By Brad Berreman

Al Messerschmidt-Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikingsseem to have two long-term building blocks for their secondary in safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, but adding talent around them has to be an offseason priority after they allowed 37 passing touchdowns (most in the league) and 287.2 passing yards per game (31st in the league) last season. If that wasn’t enough, the Vikings also had just 12 interceptions in 2013 and five of those came from linebackers with a sixth by defensive tackle Kevin Williams.

The Vikings should not completely disregard any available free agent that can help their defense, but could a player who a member of their new coaching staff knows be moving to the top of their list of targets?

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on Wednesday that the Vikings are expected to pursue cornerback Nolan Carroll when free agency starts next week. He played all 16 games (12 starts) with three interceptions, 12 pass breakups and 47 total tackles for the Miami Dolphinsin 2013, and he started 22 games for Miami over the last two seasons with new Minnesota defensive coordinator George Edwards serving as linebackers coach there during that time.

Carroll would theoretically be able to make a fairly seamless transition into Minnesota’s new defensive scheme with Edwards at the helm, and he is not in a position to break the bank in free agency. The Dolphins may be interested in re-signing him, but getting out of the dysfunction of that organization would surely appeal to Carroll if he had another team interested in him.

If the Vikings sign Carroll, he would become a candidate for the starting job opposite Rhodes. As long as bringing him aboard would not be the only move made in free agency to add some depth to the secondary, I think signing him would be a good fit for both sides.

Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24 or connect with him on Google +